Alesis PICOVERB User Manual

Reference Manual

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Table Of Contents

Introduction................................................................... 3

Welcome! ..................................................................................................... 3

About the PicoVerb ........................................................... 4

PicoVerb Key Features.............................................................................. 4

What you can do with your PicoVerb ..................................................... 5

How to Use This Manual .................................................. 6

Important Safety Instructions

(English)....................................................................................................... 7

(French)........................................................................................................ 9

(German) ..................................................................................................... 11

CE Declaration Of Conformity........................................ 13

FCC Compliance Statement ............................................ 13

Chapter 1: Quick Start Guide

Step 1: Hook it up to a mixer................................................................... 15

Step 2: Try some effects............................................................................ 16

.............................. 15

Chapter 2: Connections

Unpacking and Inspection........................................................................ 17

AC Power Hookup..................................................................................... 17

Connecting to an Instrument or Microphone ....................................... 18

Connecting to the Effects Send and Return of a mixing

console ......................................................................................................... 18

Connecting to the Channel Inserts of a mixing console ..................... 19

Connecting to the Main Inserts of a....................................................... 20

mixing console............................................................................................ 20

........................................... 17

Chapter 3: Description of Programs ............... 23

Reverb Effects ............................................................................................ 23

Modulation Effects .................................................................................... 24

Delay Effects............................................................................................... 24

Multi Effects ............................................................................................... 24

Full Mix Effect............................................................................................ 25

Rotating Speaker Effect............................................................................. 25

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Chapter 4: Troubleshooting Index

Audio Input................................................................................................. 29

Audio Output.............................................................................................. 29

Audio Performance.................................................................................... 29

Mechanical:.................................................................................................. 29

Alesis Limited Warranty

.................................................... 31

Alesis Contact Information

............................................ 32

......................... 27

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F

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s

Introduction

Welcome!

Thank you for making the Alesis PicoVerb™ a
part of your studio. Since 1984, we've been
designing and building creative tools for the
audio community. We believe in our products,
because we've heard the results that creative
people like you have achieved with them. One
of Alesis' goals is to make high-quality studio
equipment available to everyone, and this
Reference Manual is an important part of that.
After all, there's no point in making equipment
with all kinds of capabilities if no one explains
how to use them. So, we try to write our
manuals as carefully as we build our products.

The goal of this manual is to get you the
information you need as quickly as possible,
with a minimum of hassle. We hope we've
achieved that. If not, please drop us an email
and give us your suggestions on how we could
improve future editions of this manual.

We hope your investment will bring you many
years of creative enjoyment and help you
achieve your goals.

Sincerely,
The people of Alesis

or more effective

ervice and product

update notices, please

egister your PicoVerb

online at:

ttp://www.alesis.com/

upport/warranty.htm

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Introduction

About the PicoVerb

Alesis, the company that created affordable effects processing
with the introduction of the MidiVerb, now offers the
PicoVerb Compact Effects Processor. Following in the grand
tradition of the MidiVerb, MicroVerb and NanoVerb products,
the PicoVerb comes complete with 16 studio quality 24-bit
digital effects in a compact, easy to use package. The PicoVerb
is suitable for use in everything from guitar rigs to professional
recording studios.

PicoVerb Key Features

• 16 preset studio quality 24-bit effects including 2 Halls,
3 Rooms, 3 Plates, Chorus, Flange, 2 Delays, 2 Chorus /
Rooms, Vocal Eliminator and Rotary Speaker Effect.

• High-quality 24-bit true stereo signal path.

• Easy, consistent operation from the front panel with no
paging through windows of parameters on cryptic LCDs.

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• Included external 9VAC power supply for low noise,
hum-free operation.

What you can do with your PicoVerb

When you have the PicoVerb properly connected, you can:

• add space or “room sound” to dry or sterile sounds using the
Halls, Rooms and Plates reverberators.

• create a lively ensemble effect from a single instrument or
static section using the Chorus program.

• introduce a classic warm, metallic sweeping effect that
simulates analog tape fluctuation using the Flange
program.

• add echoes (multiple repeats) to your source with the Delay
programs.

• animate your instruments by adding the ensemble effect
along with the reverberation effect with the Chorus /
Room programs.

• remove the vocal and other lead instruments from an existing
recording with the Vocal Eliminator program.

• apply the lush modulation effect of a spinning organ

speaker horn with the Rotary Speaker program.

Introduction

5

H

Introduction

How to Use This Manual

This manual is divided into the following
sections describing the various functions and
applications for the PicoVerb. While it's a good
idea to read through the entire manual once
carefully, those having general knowledge about
studio equipment should use the table of
contents to look up specific functions.

Chapter 1: Quick Start. If you're already
experienced with recording, this will get you
started using the PicoVerb right away. It's a
short guide to the essential elements of
hooking it up and using it for the first time. A
brief tour of the front and back panels is
included.

Chapter 2: Connection give detailed instructions
for connecting the PicoVerb to a variety of
typical audio systems.

Chapter 3: Description of Programs gives you a
detailed explanation of each of the PicoVerb’s
16 effects programs.

Chapter 4: Troubleshooting. Refer to this chapter
if you experience any problems while using the
PicoVerb.

elpful tips and advice are
highlighted in a shaded box
like this

When something important
appears in the manual, an
exclamation mark (like the
one shown at left) will appear
with some explanatory text.
This symbol indicates that
this information is vital when
operating the PicoVerb.

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Important Safety

Instructions

Important Safety Instructions (English)

Safety symbols used in this product

operating and maintenance instructions in the literature
accompanying this unit.

the unit that can cause dangerous electric shocks.

voltages that can cause dangerous electrical shock.

This symbol alerts the user that there are important

This symbol warns the user of uninsulated voltage within

This symbol warns the user that output connectors contain

Please follow these precautions when using this
product:

1. Read these instructions.

2. Keep these instructions.

3. Heed all warnings.

4. Follow all instructions.

5. Do not use this apparatus near water.

6. Clean only with a damp cloth. Do not spray any liquid cleaner
onto the faceplate, as this may damage the front panel controls
or cause a dangerous condition.

7. Install in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.

8. Do not install near any heat sources such as radiators, heat
registers, stoves, or other apparatus (including amplifiers) that
produce heat.

9. Do not defeat the safety purpose of the polarized or
grounding-type plug. A polarized plug has two blades with
one wider than the other. A grounding-type plug has two
blades and a third grounding prong. The wide blade or the
third prong are provided for your safety. When the provided
plug does not fit into your outlet, consult an electrician for
replacement of the obsolete outlet.

10. Protect the power cord from being walked on or pinched,
particularly at plugs, convenience receptacles, and the point
where they exit from the apparatus.

11. Use only attachments or accessories specified by the
manufacturer.

Continued next page

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Important Safety Instructions

12. Use only with a cart, stand, bracket, or table designed for use
with professional audio or music equipment. In any
installation, make sure that injury or damage will not result
from cables pulling on the apparatus and its mounting. If a
cart is used, use caution when moving the cart/apparatus
combination to avoid injury from tip-over.

13. Unplug this apparatus during lightning storms or when unused
for long periods of time.

14. Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel. Servicing is
required when the apparatus has been damaged in any way,
such as when the power-supply cord or plug is damaged, liquid
has been spilled or objects have fallen into the apparatus, the
apparatus has been exposed to rain or moisture, does not
operate normally, or has been dropped.

15. This unit produces heat when operated normally. Operate in a
well-ventilated area with at least six inches of clearance from
peripheral equipment.

16. This product, in combination with an amplifier and
headphones or speakers, may be capable of producing sound
levels that could cause permanent hearing loss. Do not
operate for a long period of time at a high volume level or at a
level that is uncomfortable. If you experience any hearing loss
or ringing in the ears, you should consult an audiologist.

17. Do not expose the apparatus to dripping or splashing. Do not
place objects filled with liquids (flower vases, soft drink cans,
coffee cups) on the apparatus.

18. WARNING: To reduce the risk of fire or electric shock, do
not expose this apparatus to rain or moisture.

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Important Safety Instructions

Instructions de Sécurité Importantes (French)

Symboles utilisés dans ce produit

de fonctionnement et de maintenance dans la documentation
jointe avec ce produit.

tension non isolée à l’intérieur de l’appareil pouvant engendrer des
chocs électriques.

sur les raccordements de sorties, représentant un risque
d'électrocution.

Veuillez suivre ces précautions lors de
l’utilisation de l’appareil:

1. Lisez ces instructions.

2. Gardez ces instructions.

3. Tenez compte de tous les avertissements.

4. Suivez toutes les instructions.

5. N’utilisez pas cet allareil à proximité de l’eau.

6. Ne nettoyez qu’avec un chiffon humide. Il est potentiellement

7. Installez selon les recommandations du constructeur.

8. Ne pas installer à proximilé de sources de chaleur comme

9. Ne pas enlever la prise de terre du cordon secteur. Une prise

10. Evitez de marcher sur le cordon secteur ou de le pincer, en

11. N’utilisez que des accessoires spécifiés par le constructeur.

Ce symbole alèrte l’utilisateur qu’il existe des instructions

Ce symbole avertit l’utilisateur de la présence d’une

Ce symbole prévient l'utilisateur de la présence de tensions

dangereux d'utiliser des pulvérisateurs ou nettoyants liquides
sur cet appareil.

radiateurs, cuisinière ou autre appareils (don’t les
amplificateurs) produisant de la chaleur.

murale avec terre deux broches et une troisièrme reliée à la
terre. Cette dernière est présente pour votre sécurité. Si le
cordon secteur ne rentre pas dans la prise de courant,
demandez à un électricien qualifié de remplacer la prise.

particulier au niveau de la prise, et aux endroits où il sor de
l’appareil.

Suite de la page suivante

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